When Angel arrived at RR as an older youth abandoned by her family and battling increasingly debilitating mental health symptoms, she desperately needed a nurturing community. Angel felt embraced by RR's devoted female staff, and she made some of her closest friends at RR. Resilience Rising was home to her, a place where she felt seen, heard, held, and celebrated.

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Angel found solace in music - listening to music, dancing to music, and making music. She found her voice writing original lyrics set to beats. Angel loved to ride bikes. She loved to be in nature and was mesmerized by water. Amidst an outer and inner world that felt chaotic, she found calm and peace in natural spaces. Despite experiencing profound violence in her lifetime, Angel had a sweet innocence and gentleness about her, and she emanated a sprite-like, colorful spirit.

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In 2024, Angel's 22-year-old body was found dumped by the trash at a gas station in Colorado. While she had drugs in her system, her death is being investigated as a homicide. Resilience Rising refuses to leave her legacy lying cold by a dumpster. Resilience Rising knows that her life mattered. To honor Angel's memory and allow her legacy to provide other young survivors safe shelter and unconditional belonging, RR named its supportive housing program - Angel's House.

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Resilience Rising is grateful to have been a life-affirming part of Angel's story. Please take a few moments to watch this slideshow of her time at Resilience Rising. Bear witness to her joy and her light. Remember this precious life as one that held value and mattered.​​​​ Give to her memorial fund here and support survivors at Angel's House. ​